Compression curious at DVinfo.net

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 22nd, 2004, 10:44 PM

Just wondering who is using what for their audio compression for final output. Hardware, software, favorite model...etc.

Ken Tanaka · January 22nd, 2004, 11:49 PM

On our Lady X Films series, which recently wrapped, we principally used the IMA 4:1 codec through Cleaner 6. While there are more sophisticated audio codecs, this one produced the most consistent and pleasing results across viewer platforms when working with short pieces from around the world. One reason may be that the IMA codec is technically quite simple and requires relatively little of the viewer's processor.

I am certainly not holding our effort up as a jewel of audio compression expertise. None of us (the series' e.p.'s) are keen audio compression experts. Just offering this in the spirit of your thread.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 23rd, 2004, 12:29 AM

Not compression for the web, audio compression. I guess I didn't make that clear enough. Dynamics, not bandwidth.
Cleaner is a decent enough tool for bandwidth compression, certainly not the jewel so to speak, that it once was. Too bad Discreet apparently isn't going further with it.

Ken Tanaka · January 23rd, 2004, 01:44 AM

Acht, sorry for the misfire.

Martin Garrison · January 23rd, 2004, 09:09 AM

I like waves rennaisance compressor.

Lorinda Norton · January 23rd, 2004, 01:01 PM

I don't know much about audio--that is the domain of my audio engineer partner (his day job). All I know is that he hauls a bunch of gear to events, records into Samplitude Pro 7, then imports the edited project into Vegas, we render "audio uncompressed," and that our DVDs sound great. If your curiosity extended beyond those basics, I'd have to ask him!

(Sorry if this was wasted space, but I'm pretty proud of this guy and what he does. :)

Jacques Mersereau · January 23rd, 2004, 01:48 PM

There are all kinds of great stereo compressors out there.

Hardware:

SSL X Logic G series is a rackmountable unit that
gives the classic "gee, it sounds like a record now" sound
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/outboard/

AMEK 9098 is one of those delightful boxes where the signal sent into it sounds
much better on output.
http://www.amek.com/

DRAWMER: The 1960 and that series of units are very good.
http://www.drawmer.com/1969.htm

MANLEY: These guys make some tasty stuff
http://www.manleylabs.com/promain99.html#comp

AVALON: Good stuff

PRESONUS: AVOID

Barry Rivadue · January 23rd, 2004, 03:39 PM

Samplitudeand Wave are software and the others look like hardware...any advantage/disadvantage in taking one particular route? The software looks somewhat more accessible to me.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 23rd, 2004, 09:56 PM

This is part of why I'm asking. Having over 30Kin hardware compressors, and a few grand in software compressors, I'm more or less polling people to see what they're using. I've got my faves in both, but could use a reality check.

Matt Stahley · January 23rd, 2004, 11:58 PM

I use the built in multiband compressor in my Roland VS-880ex digi multitrack.Mostly for voice over work. Low budget here. Would like a nice Manley - TLA something of that nature$$$$.

Mike Rehmus · January 24th, 2004, 10:11 PM

I use a DB6Mini-Comp (DBX) when I need hardware (rarely) and the dynamics filter in Sound Forge for most work.

Usually I'm just knocking down the peaks so that I can max the average sound level for commercials. This is after selectively boosting low areas either with manual gain adjustments or with something like their volume maximizer

January 22nd, 2004, 10:44 PM	#1
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Compression curious Just wondering who is using what for their audio compression for final output. Hardware, software, favorite model...etc. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 22nd, 2004, 11:49 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	On our Lady X Films series, which recently wrapped, we principally used the IMA 4:1 codec through Cleaner 6. While there are more sophisticated audio codecs, this one produced the most consistent and pleasing results across viewer platforms when working with short pieces from around the world. One reason may be that the IMA codec is technically quite simple and requires relatively little of the viewer's processor. I am certainly not holding our effort up as a jewel of audio compression expertise. None of us (the series' e.p.'s) are keen audio compression experts. Just offering this in the spirit of your thread. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 23rd, 2004, 12:29 AM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Not compression for the web, audio compression. I guess I didn't make that clear enough. Dynamics, not bandwidth. Cleaner is a decent enough tool for bandwidth compression, certainly not the jewel so to speak, that it once was. Too bad Discreet apparently isn't going further with it. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 23rd, 2004, 01:44 AM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Acht, sorry for the misfire. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 23rd, 2004, 01:48 PM	#7
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	There are all kinds of great stereo compressors out there. Hardware: SSL X Logic G series is a rackmountable unit that gives the classic "gee, it sounds like a record now" sound http://www.solid-state-logic.com/outboard/ AMEK 9098 is one of those delightful boxes where the signal sent into it sounds much better on output. http://www.amek.com/ DRAWMER: The 1960 and that series of units are very good. http://www.drawmer.com/1969.htm MANLEY: These guys make some tasty stuff http://www.manleylabs.com/promain99.html#comp AVALON: Good stuff PRESONUS: AVOID __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

January 23rd, 2004, 09:09 AM	#5
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	I like waves rennaisance compressor.

January 23rd, 2004, 01:01 PM	#6
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	I don't know much about audio--that is the domain of my audio engineer partner (his day job). All I know is that he hauls a bunch of gear to events, records into Samplitude Pro 7, then imports the edited project into Vegas, we render "audio uncompressed," and that our DVDs sound great. If your curiosity extended beyond those basics, I'd have to ask him! (Sorry if this was wasted space, but I'm pretty proud of this guy and what he does. :)

January 23rd, 2004, 03:39 PM	#8
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Samplitudeand Wave are software and the others look like hardware...any advantage/disadvantage in taking one particular route? The software looks somewhat more accessible to me.

January 23rd, 2004, 09:56 PM	#9
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	This is part of why I'm asking. Having over 30Kin hardware compressors, and a few grand in software compressors, I'm more or less polling people to see what they're using. I've got my faves in both, but could use a reality check. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 23rd, 2004, 11:58 PM	#10
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I use the built in multiband compressor in my Roland VS-880ex digi multitrack.Mostly for voice over work. Low budget here. Would like a nice Manley - TLA something of that nature$$$$.

January 24th, 2004, 10:11 PM	#11
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I use a DB6Mini-Comp (DBX) when I need hardware (rarely) and the dynamics filter in Sound Forge for most work. Usually I'm just knocking down the peaks so that I can max the average sound level for commercials. This is after selectively boosting low areas either with manual gain adjustments or with something like their volume maximizer __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!